We’ve seen Motocompo knock-offs, personal electric commuters and cargo bikes that would put a four-wheeler to shame. This one by San Francisco-based company Otherlab is radically different though. Dubbed Lightfoot, the electric cargo scooter has built-in solar panels to employ limitless solar power to charge the in-built battery.
The electric scooter’s 120W solar panels sandwich the considerably large 45.2 L storage compartment which is big enough to store essentials like a backpack, grocery bags, books, or any other essentials. One of these panels is hinged to allow access to the inside compartment. This space is also used to conceal the UL-certified 1.1 kWh battery and the 600W on-board charger.
The padded seat on the bike is comfortable enough for a single rider, however, if a pillion needs to take the ride home that option is also open as the bike has footplates too. Lightfoot is powered by a couple of 750W brushless DC motors that generate 90Nm peak torque and hurl it to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. Whether it can scoot around medium-grade hilly terrain is still not clear, but based on specifications alone it should be able to do that. The motors are plugged into the 1.1kWh battery capable of having a 37-mile range on a single charge.
The solar panels charge up in broad sunlight to add around 3 miles with an hour of charge, and 18 miles on a full sunny day. People who are heavy users will mostly rely on the wall plug charging option and the solar charge will be a bonus. The bike will be a good option for users who will use it for short trips to the supermarket or local metro station.
Otherlab has kept in mind the maintenance and repairability of the scooter at any service center or local garage since it comes with off-the-shelf components making up the functional parts of the ride. Another set of deal-making features are the one-year complete bike guarantee and two-year mechanical guarantee. To top it off you’ll also get the “ironclad buy-back guarantee” as the company is promising a buy-back option if the user is not satisfied with LIghtfoot. Interestingly the goofy little scooter will be available to buy in the US from January for a price of $4,995. We can expect it to make an appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
Increasing traffic in cities has led to a market for personal commuters that are becoming more interesting with every new development. On the same lines, industrial design house OfMyImagination (OMI) has reimagined what a city commuter of the future will be like.
Meet Hop, a multi-person scooter platform designed to offer an alternative to urban transportation. A two-person scooter is the norm but a scooter that can haul four people at a time is rare. It’s unique since this autonomous concept vehicle proposes to transport up to four people easily in a footprint similar to a two-wheeler.
The idea is to use the space efficiently as commuters stand inside the open design of the scooter. This is similar to standing in buses and metro that are overcrowded. Given the small footprint of the OMI’s vehicle, it can easily navigate tight spaces, just like a normal scooter. The last-mile travel solution wants to take center stage connecting train stations and transport hubs for a smoother travel experience. This makes complete sense during peak hour traffic, where getting to the destinations in time is of utmost importance.
To make transportation within the city as streamlined as possible, OMI imagines the Hop scooter to be level 5 autonomy enabled. It will travel along pre-determined routes, just like bicycle lanes in a city for minimum congestion. As the namesake makes it clear, the compact vehicle will allow people to hop on and off easily. The ultimate target of this network would be to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, especially four-wheelers. Using the accompanying app users can book the ride and also check the routes their Hop will cover. There will be an option to book the ride in private or for a group.
To keep things cost-effective without compromising user safety, the tubular frame creates a robust structure for the vehicle. These tubular bars will double as a holding option for the users. The interiors are kept minimal featuring two baskets for keeping bags and a perch bench just in case someone needs to relax for a few minutes. Given the Hop will be completely driverless, there will be space for luggage as well. According to the budding design studio, Hop will be a complete user-focused vehicle tailored for intercity travel.
McLaren is currently in an intense dog fight on the track and on the paddock with Red Bull as tensions are rising between star drivers Max and Lando. You as a fan, have the opportunity to own a special edition electric scooter to root for the underdog. Yes, we are talking of an official McLaren edition e-scooter developed by Pure Electric.
The Britan-based company founded in 2018 is in hot pursuit of building the best electric scooter on the planet is owned by Adam Norris (Lando’s father) and the collab is not surprising. Coming on the back of another successful venture between the two brands, this e-scooter is based on the popular Advance+ model.
Pure Electric is 100 percent focused on just one goal, which is to build an e-scooter that changes the complexion of urban transport for good. The foldable commuter gets a bump up in electric motor power and a better range for this special edition version in the signature papaya color and the deep black finish. The e-scooter delivers 710 watts of peak power for better acceleration and much better performance on ascending hills. The range of 31 miles on a single full charge is reassuring if you’ll commute the city in one go.
The all-weather-proof ride comes with an IP65 rating and has 10-inch puncture-proof tires to complement the sturdy frame. Just like the Pure Advance+ model, the Pure x McLaren Special Edition has a natural forward-facing stance for a stable and comfortable riding experience. McLaren’s expertise comes from the valued design approach that’s honed by sharp aesthetics and a deeper knowledge of how hybrid powertrains work.
According to Adam who’s set the company on a success path, the partnership further cements the future of e-mobility, reflecting the engineering and design ethos. Pure x McLaren Special Edition scooters are all set to be available on July 4 in the aforementioned color options. Also, keep in mind, that there’s an Ayrton Senna anniversary edition e-scooter draped in the Brazilian flag skin released just a few months ago.
E-scooters are like the e-bike’s friendly little brother! They are easier to ride, sleek, and also seem more approachable. Weaving through traffic is super easy with them, letting you finally bid adieu to traffic jams. And if you choose an electric scooter as your preferred means of transportation, then you’re also cutting down on fossil-fuel consumption, and being a major support to planet Earth. In an ode to scooters and their immense functionality, we’ve curated a collection of innovative and nifty scooter designs that seem to be slowly taking over the automotive industry. Ride on!
1. S32 EV
Say hello to the S32 EV, an electric scooter that transforms into an e-rikshaw and vice versa! This innovative automotive is designed for the Indian subcontinent, and it has an interchangeable body frame which is truly a first for the industry. The transition takes less than three minutes, owing to the specially engineered spring-loaded mechanism, which transforms the three-wheeled e-rickshaw into an electric scooter.
2. The Infinite Machine P1 Electric Scooter
Dubbed the Infinite Machine P1 Electric Scooter, this Cybertruck-inspired E-scooter by techie brothers Eddie and Joseph Cohen is made out of anodized aluminum and steel composition. It has integrated Apple CarPlay which allows turn-by-turn navigation alerts or lets you play your favorite tunes on the go. The scooter’s GPS and remote locking capability eliminate all chances of theft, as the culprit can be quickly tracked down. It is a future-proof automotive, that resonates with the emotions and likings of Gen-Z.
3. Omni Scooter
Called the Omni Scooter, this electric scooter is centered around the likes, preferences, and aspirations of Generation Z. It was designed in close collaboration with BMW Designworks Munich, Germany. The commuter was constructed with a bottom-up approach, and it caters to the communication element with this scooter, offering the tools to shape their own unique culture. What makes this scooter even more interesting and unique, is that it changes colors and graphics in real-time.
4. The Stilride 1 Electric Scooter
The Stilride 1 electric scooter is created by folding a single piece of stainless steel. It is a unique two-wheeler that looks like a piece of art, while also being environmentally conscious owing to its sustainable construction process. No pieces have been welded together to create the final shape, which makes the scooter ultra-lightweight, ensuring it only weighs 286 pounds including the battery. Since there are fewer parts, the Stilride 1 electric scooter is easily recyclable.
5. Yamaev’s Scooter Concept
This innovative eye-catching tricycle scooter concept features a unique rectangular side profile that slices through the air the same way a credit card would swipe through a payment machine. It also has a different wheel setup feature with a massive front wheel that surrounds the scooter’s transparent bubble-shaped cockpit and two rear wheels that separate for stability at lower speeds, and connect at higher speeds for maneuverability.
6. Nano & Nano+ Model
This electric scooter is made from Rolex Steel, and it is polished in an attractive silver finish, giving the scooter an appealing and lasting impression. The designers created two variants of the electric scooter – the Nano variant which has a max speed of 45 km/h, and the Nano+ model which can go at a speed of 75 km/h. The range on both the variants is the same as they both can clock 60 miles on a full charge of 4.2 kWh battery, which can be charged in four hours.
7. Rena Max E-scooter
Called the Rena Max e-scooter, this fully electric scooter is designed for Middle-Eastern and North African delivery personnel. Since the scooter is designed for delivery services, it features a digitally lockable carry box that has temperature control, modular shelving, and insulation. It has a climate-controlled environment which ensures that the food or beverage being delivered is fresh and in good condition.
8. Gyro Canopy e
Honda’s Gyro Canopy e is a revamp of its popular Gyro three-wheeled business scooter line. The scooter looks quite similar to a concept Honda introduced back at the 2011 Motor Show. The Canopy e features an electric powertrain, as well as swappable batteries that enable the delivery personnel using them (targetted for delivery systems), to easily and efficiently swap them out, instead of waiting for them to recharge.
9. Scootility
Called the Scootility, this e-scooter with its compact size and narrow footprint in traffic is designed to deliver medication or supplies in affected areas where other forms of transport cannot find access. The Scootility has full suspension and wheels that measure 16 inches on the front and 13 inches on the back. It has a smaller wheel size which creates more space for a cargo box on this scooter with utility as its priority.
10. BeoSpeed
The BeoSpeed has a polished, clean exterior that has a durable hefty weight with a stainless steel coat. The BeoSpeed mixes the modern and classic and has natural leather seating and handlebars that are inspired by Bang & Olufsen’s headphone cushions. The electric scooter is equipped with smooth edges, minimal wheels, and stripped-back leather accents that give it a retro personality.
